9 things we learned from the 2012 Emmy nods

In addition to revealing which stars are vying for a coveted trophy, the nods have also demonstrated some interesting TV tidbits. Check out some lessons gleaned from this year’s nominee list. The Emmys air on ABC this Sunday at 7 p.m.

<b>‘Mad Men’ cannot be stopped</b>
<br><br> The AMC drama is up for 17 awards, including Outstanding Drama Series, an honor the show has scored four times already . The long-awaited , buzzed-about fifth season of ‘Mad Men’ (Bonjour Megan! Bye, bye Lane) probably won’t break that winning streak, which would be a record-setting feat for the mid-century drama. The show is currently tied with “Hill Street Blues,” “L.A. Law,” and “The West Wing” as the drama series with the most Emmy wins so far.
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Frank Ockenfels/AMC

<b>Emmy voters will miss Lane Pryce too</b>
<br><br> It might be the academy’s way of saying goodbye, or maybe it’s simply in recognition of Jared Harris’s acclaimed portrayal of the unraveling Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce’s lovably stiff Londoner. Either way, Harris scored his first Emmy nod for his final season on “Mad Men.”
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KAREN NEAL/ABC

<b>The “Modern Family” set is going to be awkward</b>
<br><br> Four out of the six actors nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series are on ABC’s progressive sitcom smash, so there is a 75 percent chance the statuette will end up with someone in the cast. Hopefully the other three won’t take it personally , otherwise the set could be as dysfunctional as a real-life family and who needs that? However, considering this isn’t the first time they’ve been through this so they’ve probably got it figured out.
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charles Sykes/aP

<b>You don’t have to choose one role to win</b>

Both Kristen Wiig (pictured) and Bill Hader landed comedic Emmy nominations for their multi-character work on “Saturday Night Live.” It also the third time Wiig has been up for an Emmy for SNL. Good to know portraying a shady club kid or mouthy, frizzy-haired adolescent can net you some gilded hardware.
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<b>People like the guys on ‘New Girl’ as much as the girl</b>
<br><br> Well, the academy likes at least one of the guys. Max Greenfield (left), who plays Schmidt, received a supporting actor nod for his role on the rookie comedy. The show’s “adorkable” star Zooey Deschanel also landed an nomination, but Emmy voters’ shout out to Schmidt appears to reflect his budding popularity.
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Mario Anzuoni/REUTERS/File

<b>Ryan Seacrest is one of the only good things left on ‘American Idol’</b>
<br><br> Adding to the reality show’s declining ratings, rotating judgeships, and mounting competition from other upstart TV singing contests, “Idol” failed to score a reality TV show nod. Seacrest and some lighting and sound guys were the only members of the production able to bring home Emmy nominations.
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Kevin Winter/Getty Images

<b>Also, Kathryn Joosten is the only good thing about ‘Desperate Housewives’</b>
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Half of the shows up for best comedy series feature female leads—“30 Rock,” “Veep,” and “Girls” (pictured)—and two are run by high-profile lady executive producers (Tina Fey of “30 Rock” and Lena Dunham of “Girls”). Emmy night is shaping up to be ladies night.